Toothbrush Apparatus With Audio Output Function

ABSTRACT

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush apparatus with audio output function comprising a toothbrush unit and an audio output unit, wherein the toothbrush unit detects the toothbrush-generated vibrations and conducts the radio transmission of such detected signals to the audio output unit and the said audio output unit outputs various sounds, including voice. The present invention does not have the audio output unit built inside the toothbrush. Rather, it has a separate structure to output audio signals. As a result, the present invention completely resolves the waterproofing problem. Further, the present invention is able to provide a wide variety of audio signals. To accomplish the above object of the present invention, a novel toothbrush apparatus with audio output function consists of a toothbrush unit comprising a toothbrush, a vibration detection part built inside the toothbrush, and a radio transmission means that conducts the radio transmission of vibration detection data from the vibration detection part, and an audio output unit that is separated from the toothbrush unit and that receives the radio transmission of vibration detection data from the said toothbrush unit and outputs the specified audio signals.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a toothbrush, more specifically, to atoothbrush apparatus with audio output function comprising a toothbrushunit and an audio output unit, wherein the said toothbrush unit detectsthe toothbrush-generated vibrations and conducts the radio transmissionof such detected signals to the audio output unit and the said audiooutput unit outputs various sounds, including voice.

BACKGROUND ART

At present, there are many kinds of toothbrush products that have theaudio function, such as output of melody or announcement. Such productsinclude the inventions of the Korean utility model patent applicationno. 1999-0036909, the Korean utility model patent no. 0163317, and theKorean patent application no. 2004-0004088. Such conventional toothbrushinventions with audio output function has the handle with an audiooutput unit.

However, such structure has some disadvantages. For example, since thetoothbrush is always exposed to water, it has to be completelywaterproof. Especially, to realize the audio output function, at leastthe speaker unit has to be exposed. Then, water or humidity maypenetrate into internal circuit board through such speaker, leading todamages to the audio output unit.

In addition, such conventional structure has limited the realization ofthe audio output function. In other words, since the speaker has to bepositioned inside the toothbrush handle, the speaker's output isunavoidably limited. Further, the audio signals generated on the use ofthe toothbrush are pre-memorized on its fabrication, resulting inlimited range of audio signals. If those conventional toothbrushproducts are designed to have many audio signals and to allow users toselect the desired signals, it has to contain a separate key input unit.In this case, such separate key input unit is also vulnerable to water.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of theabove-mentioned problems found in conventional toothbrush products. Itis an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush apparatuswith audio output function comprising a toothbrush unit and an audiooutput unit, wherein the said toothbrush unit detects thetoothbrush-generated vibrations and conducts the radio transmission ofsuch detected signals to the audio output unit and the said audio outputunit outputs various sounds, including voice. The present invention doesnot have the audio output unit built inside the toothbrush. Rather, ithas a separate structure to output audio signals. As a result, thepresent invention completely resolves the waterproofing problem.Further, the present invention is able to provide a wide variety ofaudio signals.

To accomplish the above object of the present invention, a noveltoothbrush apparatus with audio output function consists of a toothbrushunit comprising a toothbrush, a vibration detection part built insidethe toothbrush, and a radio transmission means that conducts the radiotransmission of vibration detection data from the vibration detectionpart, and an audio output unit that is separated from the saidtoothbrush unit and that receives the radio transmission of vibrationdetection data from the said toothbrush unit and outputs the specifiedaudio signals.

The radio transmission means of the said toothbrush unit consists of acontrol part that creates and generates No. 1 vibration detection dataif the vibration detection signals are repeatedly received from the saidvibration detection part during the specific No. 1 time period, No. 2vibration detection data if the vibration detection signals are notrepeatedly received from the said vibration detection part during thespecific No. 2 time period after the specific No. 1 time period, No. 3vibration detection data if the vibration detection signals arerepeatedly received from the said vibration detection part during thespecific No. 2 time period after the specific No. 1 time period, and No.4 vibration detection data if the vibration detection signals arerepeatedly received from the said vibration detection part during thespecific No. 3 time period after the specific No. 2 time period andthen, the vibration detection signals are discontinued, a transmissionpart that modulates the vibration detection data of No. 1 to No. 4 underthe control of the said control part according to the specific radiocommunication standard and outputs them, and an antenna that conductsthe radio transmission of signals from the said transmission part.

The said audio output unit consists of a memory part with multiple audiodata, an audio output means comprising a speaker, an antenna thatdetects and receives the radio transmission of signals from the radiotransmission means of the said toothbrush unit, a receiving part thatdemodulates the signals from the antenna, and a control part that checksNo. 1 to No. 4 vibration detection data contained in the demodulatedsignals and controls the output of audio data saved at the said memorypart corresponding to the checked vibration detection data to thespeaker through the said audio output means. Further, the said audiooutput unit consists of a key input part for selection of variousoperation modes and functions, a display part that shows the time andfunctions selected or set at the key input part according to the controlof the said control part, and an audio input means for input of user'svoice or other audio data. Moreover, the said control part performscontrol functions to save the audio data entered through the said audioinput means at the said memory part. In addition, the control part ofthe said audio output unit performs control functions to update themapping data on audio data entered through the said input means andsaved at the said memory part and No. 1 to No. 4 vibration detectiondata, on request of mapping setting, save such updated mapping data atthe specified area of the said memory part, check No. 1 to No. 4vibration detection data contained in the signals demodulated at thesaid receiving part, and output the audio data saved at the said memorypart to the speaker through the said audio output means based on themapping data saved at the said memory part and the checked vibrationdetection data.

Meanwhile, the radio transmission means of the said toothbrush unitconsists of a control part that creates and outputs vibration detectiondata if the vibration detection signals are repeatedly received from thesaid vibration detection part during a specific period, a transmissionpart that modulates the said vibration detection data according to thespecified radio communication standard under the control of the saidcontrol part and outputs them, and an antenna that conducts radiooutputs of signals received from the said transmission part. And, thesaid audio output unit consists of a memory part with multiple audiodata saved, an audio output means comprising a speaker, an antenna thatdetects and receives the radio transmission signals from the radiotransmission means of the said toothbrush unit, a receiving part thatdemodulates the received signals from the said antenna, and a controlpart that performs control function to check the vibration detectiondata contained in the said demodulated signals and output No. 1 audiodata saved at the said memory part to the speaker through the said audiooutput means if the vibration detection data are repeatedly enteredduring the specific No. 1 time period, No. 2 audio data saved at thesaid memory part to the speaker through the said audio output means ifthe vibration detection data are not repeatedly entered during thespecific No. 2 time period from the said receiving part after thespecific No. 1 time period, No. 3 audio data saved at the said memorypart to the speaker through the said audio output means if the vibrationdetection data are repeatedly entered during the specific No. 2 timeperiod from the said receiving part after the specific No. 1 timeperiod, and No. 4 audio data saved at the said memory part to thespeaker through the said audio output means if the entry of thevibration detection data from the said receiving part is discontinuedafter the specific No. 2 time period. The said audio output unit furthercomprises a key input part for selection of various operation modes andfunctions, a display part that shows the time and functions selected orset at the key input part according to the control of the said controlpart, and an audio input means for input of user's voice or other audiodata. Moreover, the said control part performs control functions to savethe audio data entered through the said audio input means at the saidmemory part. In addition, the control part of the said audio output unitperforms control functions to update the mapping data on audio dataentered through the said input means and saved at the said memory partand No. 1 to No. 4 audio data, on request of mapping setting, save suchupdated mapping data at the specified area of the said memory part,check vibration detection data contained in the signals demodulated atthe said receiving part, and output the audio data saved at the saidmemory part to the speaker through the said audio output means based onthe mapping data saved at the said memory part and the checked vibrationdetection data.

The said toothbrush unit further includes a low-voltage detection partthat detects the voltage level of the power part and, if the voltagelevel is low (below the specified one), delivers the signal of suchlow-voltage status to the said control part. In addition, the saidcontrol part perform control functions to transmit the signal oflow-voltage detection through the said radio transmission means, if thesaid low-voltage detection part detects the low-voltage status.Moreover, the control part of the said audio output unit perform controlfunctions to extract the specified audio data corresponding to thelow-voltage detection signal from the memory part and output them to theaudio output means, if it receives the low-voltage detection signal fromthe toothbrush unit through the receiving part.

Technical Solution

A preferred embodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio outputfunction will be described in detail in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the toothbrush unit of thetoothbrush apparatus with audio output function of the presentinvention, while FIG. 2 is a cutaway view showing the toothbrush unit ofthe toothbrush apparatus with audio output function of the presentinvention.

As shown in these figures, the toothbrush unit (1) according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention consists of a brush part(2), a handle part (4), and a connection part (3). It is desirable thatthe connection between the handle part (4) and the connection part (3)has several incisions and some of such incisions have the screw thread.The connection part (3) is in the cylindrical shape and its one end(i.e., where it is connected with the handle part (4)) has the screwthread inside the cylindrical form to allow connection with the screwthread of the handle part (4) on combination with the said handle part(4). One side of the said brush part (2) is communicated through theconnection part (3) to be connected with the handle part (4). Then, ifthe connection part (3) is inserted into the connecting part of thehandle part (4) and screw-connected with the handle part (4), one sideof the brush part (1) is firmly connected with the handle part (4).Meanwhile, the inside of the handle part (4) has a vibration detectionpart (11) and a PCB (5) with several circuits. In addition, at least onebattery (6) can be positioned inside the handle part (4). The oppositeside of the part connecting with the handle part (4) has a space forbattery (the vibration of the toothbrush at the handle part or othersand a circuit conducting the radio transmission of any detectedvibration signals to an external unit, and the circuit structure istreated to be waterproofing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit structure built in one 6).It is desirable to design the battery space to be sealed by a closingpart.

Meanwhile, the toothbrush unit of the present invention is not limitedby the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The present invention coversany structures that comprises a part detecting embodiment of thetoothbrush unit of the present invention.

As shown in this figure, the circuit structure of the toothbrush unitconsists of a control part (10), a vibration detection part (11), anoscillation part (12), a power part (13), a low-voltage detection part(14), a transmission part (15), and an antenna (16).

The said vibration detection part (11) is an element that can detect theangle of the movement of the toothbrush if the toothbrush is tilted orvibrated. It can be realized by any commonly known technology. Forexample, it may employ the mercury-based vibration detection technologyor other available technologies. The said oscillation part (12) is togenerate the base clock for signals to be used in the said control part(10) or others, or the base signals to display the time.

The said power part (13) contains the battery or other battery chargerfor stable power supply to internal circuits. The said low-voltagedetection part (14) detects any low-voltage status, if the power levelsupplied to the said power part (13) is below the specific point, andnotifies such status to the said control part (10).

The said transmission part is to modulate data according to thespecified radio communication standard under the control of the saidcontrol part (10) and transmit them through the antenna (16). Any radiocommunication standards suitable for short-distance communication can beemployed. Further, for the said antenna, it is desirable to have astructure patterned onto the said PCB. However, if the antenna istreated to be waterproofing, any structures can be employed.

The said control part (10) is responsible for overall circuit controls.In addition, it conducts the control function to output the specifiedvibration detection data through the said transmission part on the basisof the vibration detection signals entered as the vibration is detectedat the said vibration detection part (11). Further, it conducts thecontrol function to output the low-voltage detection data through thesaid transmission part as the low-voltage detection signals are enteredfrom the said low-voltage detection part (14). The said control part(10) has unique identification codes, which are contained in the radiotransmission signals from the transmission part.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit structure of the audiooutput unit in one embodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audiooutput function.

As shown in this figure, the audio output unit consists of a controlpart (20), an antenna (22), a receiving part (24), a key input part(26), a microphone (28), a voice input part (30), a memory part (32), adisplay part (34), an audio processing part (36), an audio amplificationpart (38), a speaker (40), an oscillation part (42), and a power part(44).

Multiple audio data (audio signals) are saved at the said memory part(32). Types of such audio data may include 1) audio data prior totooth-brushing, 2) audio data during tooth-brushing, 3) audio data forpre-mature termination of tooth-brushing before the time set fortooth-brushing, 4) audio data when tooth-brushing is terminated afterthe time set for tooth-brushing, and 5) audio data for warning oflow-voltage. Each type may include several audio data.

The said receiving part (24) receives the signals through the antenna(22) from the toothbrush unit, demodulates them according to the radiocommunication standard, and transmits them to the control part (20).Although it is desirable for the antenna to have the structure ofpatterned PCB, any shapes can be employed for the antenna.

The said key input part (26) is to select various modes and setfunctions. The type of audio output signals, data for the display part(34), and user's voice memory modes to be saved at the memory part canbe selected and set.

The said display part (34) can employ conventional liquid-crystaldisplay elements and, desirably, has a function of displaying the timeunder usual conditions. Further, it is desirable to change the time setat the said key input part.

The said microphone (28) is to record the user's voice data, ifnecessary, and save them at the said memory part (32). The said voiceinput part (30) has the structure of conducting the low-pass filteringof voice signals entered through the said microphone (28) and outputtingthe voice data digitalized through the analog/digital conversion. Thesedigital voice data are saved at the memory part (32) under the controlof the control part (20).

When the user play the voice data saved through key input, the controlpart (20) controls extraction of the saved voice data from the saidmemory part (32) and output of such data through the audio processingpart (36), the audio amplification part (38), and the speaker (40). Inthis case, the user may delete the voice data with use of the key inputpart (26) if he/she does not want them.

The said audio processing part (36) conduct the digital/analogconversion of the audio data (voice data) extracted and outputted fromthe said memory part (32) under the control of the said control part(20), while the said audio identification codes, vibration detectiondata, and low-voltage detection data contained in such demodulatedsignals and to output the specified audio amplification part (38)amplifies the analog-converted audio signals (voice signals) and outputsthem through the said speaker (40).

The said oscillation part (42) is to generate the base clock for signalsto be used in the said control part (20) or others, or the base signalsto display the time. The said power part (44) is to supply power toindividual elements and can be structured to contain the battery orother battery charger.

The said control part (20) is responsible for overall control ofindividual elements. In addition, it conducts the control function tocheck the data saved at the said memory part (32) corresponding to suchchecked detection data to the speaker (40 through the said audioprocessing part (36) and the said audio amplification part (38).

FIG. 5 shows the operational flow of the toothbrush unit in oneembodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio output function.

As shown in this figure, when any vibration is detected by the vibrationdetection part (11) and such vibration detection signals are entered(Step S10), the control part (10) determines if such vibration detectionsignals are repeatedly entered during the specific No. 1 time period(Step S11˜S12). If such signals are not repeatedly entered, it ignoresthe vibration detection signals of the above step S10. The reason whysuch determination is made for No. 1 time period is to ignore the caseswhere vibration is detected at the vibration detection part (11), forexample, by simply touching the toothbrush unit rather than grabbing theunit to brush the teeth. Meanwhile, if it is determined that thevibration detection signals are repeatedly entered at the above stepS12, it controls transmission of No. 1 (detection) data, including itsunique identification codes, through the transmission part (15) and theantenna (16) (Step S13). The said No. 1 (detection) data are to output“audio data prior to tooth-brushing” saved at the memory part (32) ofthe said audio output unit.

Then, the said control part (10) checks if the vibration detectionsignals are repeatedly entered from the said vibration detection part(11) during the specific No. 1 time period and No. 2 time period (StepS14˜S15). When such repeated vibration is terminated during the specificNo. 2 time period, it controls transmission of No. 2 (detection) data,including its unique identification codes, through the transmission part(15) and the antenna (16) (Step S16) and its status is returned intoStep S10. The said No. 2 (detection) data are to output “audio data forpre-mature termination of tooth-brushing before the time set fortooth-brushing”.

Meanwhile, if the repeated vibration is detected at S15, the saidcontrol part (10) controls transmission of No. 3 (detection) data,including its unique identification codes, through the transmission part(15) and the antenna (16) (Step S17). The said No. 3 (detection) dataare to output “audio data during tooth-brushing” saved at the memorypart (32) of the said audio output unit.

Then, the said control part (10) checks if the vibration detectionsignals are repeatedly entered from the said vibration detection part(11) during the specific No. 2 time period and No. 3 time period (StepS18˜S19). When such repeated vibration is terminated during the specificNo. 3 time period, it controls transmission of No. 4 (detection) data,including its unique identification codes, through the transmission part(15) and the antenna (16) (Step S20) and its status is returned intoStep S10. The said No. 4 (detection) data are to output “audio data whentooth-brushing is terminated after the time set for tooth-brushing”saved at the said memory part (32) of the said audio output unit.Meanwhile, this figure explains the operational flow of the said controlpart (10) only from the aspect of vibration detection at the saidvibration detection part, but the control part (10) of the presentinvention actually controls the transmission of low-voltage detectiondata through the transmission part (15) and the antenna (16) if thelow-voltage detection signals are entered from the said low-voltagedetection part (14). The said low-voltage detection data are to output“audio data for warning of low voltage” saved at the memory part (32) ofthe said audio output unit and allow users to exchange batteries of thetoothbrush unit.

FIG. 6 shows the operational flow of the audio output unit in oneembodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio output function. Itdepicts the operation flow when detection signals are received at theaudio output unit according to the control flow of FIG. 5. In thisfigure, it is assumed that the audio output unit has uniqueidentification codes matched to data received from the antenna (22) andthe receiving part (24).

At first, if the control part (20) determines that No. 1 (detection)data are received through the receiving part, the control part (20)extracts “audio data prior to tooth-brushing” equivalent to No. 1 datafrom the memory part (32) and outputs them to the speaker (40) throughthe audio processing part (36) and the audio amplification part (38)(Step S21˜S22). In this case, the user is holding the toothbrush unitand doing other acts, such as squeezing the toothpaste, in order tobrush the teeth. Therefore, it is desirable to output the audio data,such as “Hi! Are you going to brush your teeth? Let's brush the teeth!”,or combination of audio data and music data.

In addition, if the said control part (20) determines that No. 2(detection) data are received through the receiving part, the controlpart (20) extracts “audio data for pre-mature termination oftooth-brushing before the time set for tooth-brushing” equivalent to No.2 data from the memory part (32) and outputs them to the speaker (40)through the audio processing part (36) and the audio amplification part(38) (Step S23˜S24). In this case, the user stops brushing the teethbefore the time set for tooth-brushing. Therefore, it is desirable tooutput the audio data, such as “Why do you stop brushing your teeth soquickly?” or combination of audio data and music data.

Further, if the said control part (20) determines that No. 3 (detection)data are received through the receiving part, the control part (20)extracts “audio data during tooth-brushing” equivalent to No. 3 datafrom the memory part (32) and outputs them to the speaker (40) throughthe audio processing part (36) and the audio amplification part (38)(Step S25˜S26). In this case, the user is holding the toothbrush unitand brushing his/her teeth. Therefore, it is desirable to output themusic data, such as cheerful songs.

Moreover, if the said control part (20) determines that No. 4(detection) data are received through the receiving part, the controlpart (20) extracts “audio data when tooth-brushing is terminated afterthe time set for tooth-brushing” equivalent to No. 4 data from thememory part (32) and outputs them to the speaker (40) through the audioprocessing part (36) and the audio amplification part (38) (StepS27˜S28). In this case, the user stops brushing his/her teeth aftersufficient time of tooth-brushing. Therefore, it is desirable to outputthe audio data, such as “See you again!” or combination of audio dataand music data.

Meanwhile, this figure explains the operational flow of the said controlpart (20) only from the aspect of vibration detection at the saidvibration detection part, but the control part (20) of the presentinvention extracts “audio data for warning of low-voltage” from the saidmemory part (32) and outputs them to the speaker (4) through the audioprocessing part (36) and the audio amplification part (38) if thelow-voltage detection signals are detected by the said low-voltagedetection part (14) and such low-voltage detection data are received atthe said audio output unit. In this case, the toothbrush unit is underexchange of batteries or requires recharging. Therefore, it is desirableto output the audio data, such as “Hello, I am hungry˜˜”, “Please changebatteries˜˜”, or “Please recharge me˜˜”, or warning sounds.

It is desirable to match audio data saved at the said memory part (32)with No. 1 to No. 4 (detection) data and low-voltage detection data andto save such mapped data at the specified area of the said memory part(32).

Further, the control part (20) desirably performs control functions toupdate the mapping data, when the user request mapping resetting of No.1 to No. 4 (detection) data and low-voltage detection data through thekey input part (26), save such updated mapping data at the specifiedarea of the said memory part (32), check No. 1 to No. 4 (detection) dataand low-voltage detection data contained in the signals demodulated atthe said receiving part (24), and output the audio data saved at thesaid memory part (32) to the speaker through the said audio processingpart (36) and the audio amplification part (38) based on the mappingdata at the memory part (32) and the detection data or low-voltagedetection data checked as above.

FIG. 7 shows the operational flow of the toothbrush unit in anotherembodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio output function.

As shown in this figure, when vibration is detected at the vibrationdetection part (11) and vibration detection signals are entered (StepS3), the control part (10) in the example embodiment of the presentinvention determines if the vibration detection signals are repeatedlyentered during a specific period (Step S31˜S32) and, if such signals arenot repeatedly entered, it ignores such vibration detection at the abovestep S30. The reason why such determination is made during a specificperiod is to ignore the cases where vibration is detected at thevibration detection part (11), for example, by simply touching thetoothbrush unit rather than grabbing the unit to brush the teeth.Meanwhile, if it is determined that the vibration detection signals arerepeatedly entered at the above step S32, it controls transmission ofvibration signals, including its unique identification codes, throughthe transmission part (15) and the antenna (16) (Step S13).

FIG. 8 shows the operational flow of the audio output unit in anotherembodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio output function. Thisfigure depicts the flow of receiving detection signals at the audiooutput unit according to the control flow of FIG. 7. In this figure, itis assumed that the audio output unit has unique identification codesmatched to data received from the antenna (22) and the receiving part(24).

As shown in this figure, when vibration signals are received from thereceiving part (24) (Step S40), the control part (20) determines if thevibration signals are repeatedly entered during a specific No. 1 timeperiod (Step S41˜S42) and, if such signals are not repeatedly entered,it ignores such vibration signals received at the above step S40. Thereason why such determination is made during a specific No. 1 timeperiod is to ignore the cases where vibration is detected at thevibration detection part (11), for example, by simply touching thetoothbrush unit rather than grabbing the unit to brush the teeth andsuch vibration signals are received at the audio output unit. Meanwhile,if it is determined that the vibration signals are repeatedly entered atthe above step S42, the control part (20) extracts “audio data prior totooth-brushing” as No. 1 audio signals from the memory part (32) andoutputs them to the speaker (40) through the audio processing part (36)and the audio amplification part (38) (Step S43).

Then, the said control part (20) checks if the vibration detectionsignals are repeatedly entered during the specific No. 1 time period andNo. 2 time period (Step S44˜S45). When such repeated vibration isterminated during the specific No. 2 time period, it extracts “audiodata for pre-mature termination of tooth-brushing before the time setfor tooth-brushing” as No. 2 audio signals from the memory part (32) andoutputs them to the speaker (40) through the audio processing part (36)and the audio amplification part (38) (Step S46). The control part'sstatus is returned into step S40.

Meanwhile, if it is determined that the repeated vibration signals arereceived at S45, the said control part (20) extracts “audio data duringtooth-brushing” as No. 3 audio signals from the memory part (32) andoutputs them to the speaker (40) through the audio processing part (36)and the audio amplification part (38) (Step S48).

Then, if it is determined that no repeated vibration signals arereceived, the said control part (20) extracts “audio data whentooth-brushing is terminated after the time set for tooth-brushing” asNo. 4 audio signals from the memory part (32) and outputs them to thespeaker (40) through the audio processing part (36) and the audioamplification part (38) (Step S48˜S49). The said control part (20) goesback to the above step S40.

Meanwhile, this figure explains the operational flow of the said controlpart (20) only from the aspect of vibration detection at the saidvibration detection part, but the control part (20) of the presentinvention extracts “audio data for warning of low-voltage” from the saidmemory part (32) and outputs them to the speaker (4) through the audioprocessing part (36) and the audio amplification part (38) if thelow-voltage detection signals are detected by the said low-voltagedetection part (14) and such low-voltage detection data are received atthe said audio output unit.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of circuits built inside the toothbrush unitin another embodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio outputfunction. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing circuits of the audiooutput unit in another embodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audiooutput function. FIG. 11 shows communication between the toothbrush unitand the audio output unit in another embodiment of the toothbrushapparatus with audio output function. Unlike other example embodiment,this example embodiment in these figures has a structure that, when thetoothbrush unit transmits data on radio communication between thetoothbrush unit and the audio output unit, the audio output unittransmits the signals confirming that such data are received.

The above examples are based on the case when the user is manuallybrushing his/her teeth. However, the present invention is alsoapplicable to automatic toothbrush. In this case, the presence orabsence of actual tooth-brushing can be determined by the said vibrationdetection part. However, such determination may be based on thevibration switch (on/off). Although the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention has been disclosed for illustrative purpose, those whoare skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications,additions, and substitutions are possible, without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanyingclaims.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

As clearly illustrated and demonstrated as above, the present inventiondoes not have the audio output unit inside the toothbrush, but itconsists of two separate units. The toothbrush unit has a system todetect vibration of the toothbrush and conduct the radio transmission ofsuch detection result to the separate audio output unit. In this way,the present invention resolves the waterproofing problems and enablesuse of various audio signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the toothbrush unit of thetoothbrush apparatus with audio output function of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view showing the toothbrush unit of the toothbrushapparatus with audio output function of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit structure built in oneembodiment of the toothbrush unit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit structure of the audiooutput unit in one embodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audiooutput function.

FIG. 5 shows the operational flow of the toothbrush unit in oneembodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio output function.

FIG. 6 shows the operational flow of the audio output unit in oneembodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio output function.

FIG. 7 shows the operational flow of the toothbrush unit in anotherembodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio output function.

FIG. 8 shows the operational flow of the audio output unit in anotherembodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio output function.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of circuits built inside the toothbrush unitin another embodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio outputfunction.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing circuits of the audio output unit inanother embodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audio outputfunction.

FIG. 11 shows communication between the toothbrush unit and the audiooutput unit in another embodiment of the toothbrush apparatus with audiooutput function.

LEGEND

-   -   1: Toothbrush unit    -   2: Brush part    -   3: Connection part    -   4: Handle part    -   5: PCB    -   6: Battery    -   10: Control part    -   11: Vibration detection part    -   12: Oscillation part    -   13: Power part    -   14: Low-voltage detection part    -   15: Transmission part    -   15A: Transmission/Receiving part    -   16: Antenna    -   20: Control part    -   22: Antenna    -   24: Receiving part    -   24A: Transmission/Receiving part    -   26: Key input part    -   28: Microphone    -   30: Voice input part    -   32: Memory part    -   34: Display part    -   36: Audio processing part    -   38: Audio amplification part    -   40: Speaker

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

It is preferred to embody the invention that outputs audio signals onlywhen users brush their teeth. In other words, it is a key point torecognize if the act of brushing the teeth is actually done and outputthe signals.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Since it is difficult to actually recognize the act of brushing theteeth, the present invention considers the vibration of the toothbrushunit as the act of brushing the teeth and outputs audio signals.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to any applications that recognizemovement and output audio or voice signals.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable

1. A toothbrush apparatus with audio output function comprising atoothbrush unit consisting of a toothbrush, a vibration detection partbuilt inside the toothbrush, and a radio transmission means thatconducts the radio transmission of vibration detection data from thevibration detection part, and an audio output unit that is separatedfrom the said toothbrush unit and that receives the radio transmissionof vibration detection data from the said toothbrush unit and outputsthe specified audio signals.
 2. The toothbrush apparatus with audiooutput function as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radio transmissionmeans of the said toothbrush unit consists of a control part thatcreates and generates No. 1 vibration detection data if the vibrationdetection signals are repeatedly received from the said vibrationdetection part during the specific No. 1 time period, No. 2 vibrationdetection data if the vibration detection signals are not repeatedlyreceived from the said vibration detection part during the specific No.2 time period after the specific No. 1 time period, No. 3 vibrationdetection data if the vibration detection signals are repeatedlyreceived from the said vibration detection part during the specific No.2 time period after the specific No. 1 time period, and No. 4 vibrationdetection data if the vibration detection signals are repeatedlyreceived from the said vibration detection part during the specific No.3 time period after the specific No. 2 time period and then, thevibration detection signals are iod, No. 2 vibration detection data ifthe vibration detection signals are not repeatedly received from thesaid vibration detection part during the specific No. 2 time periodafter the specific No. 1 time period, No. 3 vibration detection data ifthe vibration detection signals are repeatedly received from the saidvibration detection part during the specific No. 2 time period after thespecific No. 1 time period, and No. 4 vibration detection data if thevibration detection signals are repeatedly received from the saidvibration detection part during the specific No. 3 time period after thespecific No. 2 time period and then, the vibration detection signals adiscontinued, a transmission part that modulates the vibration detectiondata of No. 1 to No. 4 under the control of the said control partaccording to the specific radio communication standard and outputs them,and an antenna that conducts the radio transmission of signals from thesaid transmission part.
 3. The toothbrush apparatus with audio outputfunction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said audio output unitconsists of a memory part with multiple audio data, an audio outputmeans comprising a speaker, an antenna that detects and receives theradio transmission of signals from the radio transmission means of thesaid toothbrush unit, a receiving part that demodulates the signals fromthe antenna, and a control part that checks No. 1 to No. 4 vibrationdetection data contained in the demodulated signals and controls theoutput of audio data saved at the said memory part corresponding to thechecked vibration detection data to the speaker through the said audiooutput means.
 4. A toothbrush apparatus with audio output functioncomprising a toothbrush unit consisting of a toothbrush, a vibrationdetection part built inside the toothbrush, and a radio transmissionmeans that conducts the radio transmission of vibration detection datafrom the vibration detection part, and an audio output unit that isseparated from the said toothbrush unit and that receives the radiotransmission of vibration detection data from the said toothbrush unitand outputs the specified audio signals, wherein the said audio outputunit as claimed in claim 3 further comprises a key input part forselection of various operation modes and functions, a display part thatshows the time and functions selected or set at the key input partaccording to the control of the said control part, and an audio inputmeans for input of user's voice or other audio data, and the saidcontrol part performs control functions to save the audio data enteredthrough the said audio input means at the said memory part.
 5. Atoothbrush apparatus with audio output function comprising a toothbrushunit consisting of a toothbrush, a vibration detection part built insidethe toothbrush, and a radio transmission means that conducts the radiotransmission of vibration detection data from the vibration detectionpart and an audio output unit that is separated from the said toothbrushunit and that receives the radio transmission of vibration detectiondata from the said toothbrush unit and outputs the specified audiosignals, wherein the control part of the said audio output unit asclaimed in claim 4 performs control functions to update the mapping dataon audio data entered through the said input means and saved at the saidmemory part and No. 1 to No. 4 vibration detection data, on request ofmapping setting, save such updated mapping data at the specified area ofthe said memory part, check No. 1 to No. 4 vibration detection datacontained in the signals demodulated at the said receiving part, andoutput the audio data saved at the said memory part to the speakerthrough the said audio output means based on the mapping data saved atthe said memory part and the checked vibration detection data.
 6. Thetoothbrush apparatus with audio output functions as claimed in claim 1,wherein the radio transmission means of the said toothbrush unitconsists of a control part that creates and outputs vibration detectiondata if the vibration detection signals are repeatedly received from thesaid vibration detection part during a specific period, a transmissionpart that modulates the said vibration detection data according to thespecified radio communication standard under the control of the saidcontrol part and outputs them, and an antenna that conducts radiooutputs of signals received from the said transmission part.
 7. Thetoothbrush apparatus with audio output functions as claimed in claim 1,wherein the audio out unit consists of a memory part with multiple audiodata saved, an audio output means comprising a speaker, an antenna thatdetects and receives the radio transmission signals from the radiotransmission means of the said toothbrush unit, a receiving part thatdemodulates the received signals from the said antenna, and a controlpart that performs control function to check the vibration detectiondata contained in the said demodulated signals and output No. 1 audiodata saved at the said memory part to the speaker through the said audiooutput means if the vibration detection data are repeatedly enteredduring the specific No. 1 time period, No. 2 audio data saved at thesaid memory part to the speaker through the said audio output means ifthe vibration detection data are not repeatedly entered during thespecific No. 2 time period from the said receiving part after thespecific No. 1 time period, No. 3 audio data saved at the said memorypart to the speaker through the said audio output means if the vibrationdetection data are repeatedly entered during the specific No. 2 timeperiod from the said receiving part after the specific No. 1 timeperiod, and No. 4 audio data saved at the said memory part to thespeaker through the said audio output means if the entry of thevibration detection data from the said receiving part is discontinuedafter the specific No. 2 time period.
 8. A toothbrush apparatus withaudio output function comprising a toothbrush unit consisting of atoothbrush, a vibration detection part built inside the toothbrush, anda radio transmission means that conducts the radio transmission ofvibration detection data from the vibration detection part, and an audiooutput unit that is separated from the said toothbrush unit and thatreceives the radio transmission of vibration detection data from thesaid toothbrush unit and outputs the specified audio signals, whereinthe audio output unit as claimed in claim 7 further comprises a keyinput part for selection of various operation modes and functions, adisplay part that shows the time and functions selected or set at thekey input part according to the control of the said control part, and anaudio input means for input of user's voice or other audio data, and thesaid control part performs control functions to save the audio dataentered through the said audio input means at the said memory part.
 9. Atoothbrush apparatus with audio output function comprising a toothbrushunit consisting of a toothbrush, a vibration detection part built insidethe toothbrush, and a radio transmission means that conducts the radiotransmission of vibration detection data from the vibration detectionpart, and an audio output unit that is separated from the saidtoothbrush unit and that receives the radio transmission of vibrationdetection data from the said toothbrush unit and outputs the specifiedaudio signals, wherein the control part of the audio output unit asclaimed in claim 8 performs control functions to update the mapping dataon audio data entered through the said input means and saved at the saidmemory part and No. 1 to No. 4 audio data, on request of mappingsetting, save such updated mapping data at the specified area of thesaid memory part, check vibration detection data contained in thesignals demodulated at the said receiving part, and output the audiodata saved at the said memory part to the speaker through the said audiooutput means based on the mapping data saved at the said memory part andthe checked vibration detection data.
 10. The toothbrush apparatus withaudio output functions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the saidtoothbrush unit further includes a low-voltage detection part thatdetects the voltage level of the power part and, if the voltage level islow (below the specified one), delivers the signal of such low-voltagestatus to the said control part and the said control part performcontrol functions to transmit the signal of low-voltage detectionthrough the said radio transmission means, if the said low-voltagedetection part detects the low-voltage status.
 11. A toothbrushapparatus with audio output function comprising a toothbrush unitconsisting of a toothbrush, a vibration detection part built inside thetoothbrush, and a radio transmission means that conducts the radiotransmission of vibration detection data from the vibration detectionpart, and an audio output unit that is separated from the saidtoothbrush unit and that receives the radio transmission of vibrationdetection data from the said toothbrush unit and outputs the specifiedaudio signals, wherein the control part of the said audio output unit asclaimed in claim 10 perform control functions to extract the specifiedaudio data corresponding to the low-voltage detection signal from thememory part and output them to the audio output means, if it receivesthe low-voltage detection signal from the toothbrush unit through thereceiving part.